Introduction of Freedom of the Press

December 2005 Assembly

1.  Introduction

• Who has been in the newspaper?
• Who has been on the radio?
• Who has been on TV?
• Who delivers the newspaper?

2.  What is the press?

• News broadcasting – news reported in the newspaper, on the radio, or on TV.

3.  What is Freedom of the Press?

• News reporters can print or say the truth.
• The government can’t stop or censor it.
• Censor means they can’t tell them to change it or leave something out.
• The people have the right to know what’s going on.

4.  Show newspaper clippings

• “And Unto You A Child Is Born” - you can print articles about religion.
• “Bush Camp Sees Iraq Speech as a Start of President’s Rebound” - you can print articles about the government if they are true.
• “Black Hawk County Inmate Accuses Deputy of Throwing Away Mail” - you can print articles about the police.

5.  How can you use the Freedom of Press?

• You probably won’t be writing for a newspaper soon but Middle School and High School does have newspapers you could (can) write for.
• You can read a newspaper.
• One thing you can do right now is to tell the truth even when it’s hard.